I started my driving career in 1979 with a local construction company, I don't think I have any pics of the 1968 Autocar 10 wheel dump I drove there. It was equipped with a 6/71 Detroit and 13 speed tranny, you shifted from the minute you got in until you got out for the day!! You had to drive it like you hated it, and after a couple weeks in that truck I did both! I graduated after the first year to a '78 Mack DM600 10 wheeler with a 237 MaxiDyne and two stick 5 speed Maxitorque tranny. Standard 5 speed pattern on one stick, then low/high/reverse on the other stick, 5 speeds in each position. It would go 30mph in reverse and we often did backing up a mile sometimes to the paver. If I come across any pics I'll post them.
When I left construction I worked for Grand Union Supermarkets, a grocery chain here in the northeast. When I started there they had White 4000s and Road Boss, no pics of them. The 4000s had 250 Cummins and 10 speed, the Road Boss 290 Cummins with 10 speeds. Later they got some LN Fords with 300 Cummins and 6 speed Spicers, followed by LNT Fords with 300 Cummins and 10 speeds. We also had a handful of White Road Commander cabovers during this time equipped with 6V92TA Detroits rated at 300hp with 10 speeds. The senior drivers didn't like driving them but I didn't mind, I could keep up with the Cummins powered trucks in it.
In '87 they started bringing in replacement trucks, White conventional day cabs (I don't know the model) and it was when White had merged with Volvo and GMC. They were equipped with L10 Cummins rated for 300hp with 10 speeds. The first run of these trucks had problems, the cab corners all cracked at the upper corners and each one had to have the radiator replaced. It was a new high efficiency design radiator but it couldn't handle the higher pressures. They bought 15 more in '89, and 5 additional in '90.
For the next several years they didn't invest in new equipment as the company was in financial trouble but they started sending out some of the Ford 9000s to be refurbished. They looked real sharp when they came back. In 1995 however, they bought a number of Aeromax 9000 Fords equipped with 300 Cummins, 10 speeds, Jake brake, A/C and AM/FM stereo!! And by this time I had gained enough seniority to be assigned one!! The thrill was short lived though, because in February of 1997, Grand Union Distribution closed their doors and 1500 of us were laid off. The company ceased to exist after about 5 more years. It was an experience though driving in the metropolitan NY tri-state area with a 45' trailer!
I'll add more pics as I come across them.
When I left construction I worked for Grand Union Supermarkets, a grocery chain here in the northeast. When I started there they had White 4000s and Road Boss, no pics of them. The 4000s had 250 Cummins and 10 speed, the Road Boss 290 Cummins with 10 speeds. Later they got some LN Fords with 300 Cummins and 6 speed Spicers, followed by LNT Fords with 300 Cummins and 10 speeds. We also had a handful of White Road Commander cabovers during this time equipped with 6V92TA Detroits rated at 300hp with 10 speeds. The senior drivers didn't like driving them but I didn't mind, I could keep up with the Cummins powered trucks in it.
In '87 they started bringing in replacement trucks, White conventional day cabs (I don't know the model) and it was when White had merged with Volvo and GMC. They were equipped with L10 Cummins rated for 300hp with 10 speeds. The first run of these trucks had problems, the cab corners all cracked at the upper corners and each one had to have the radiator replaced. It was a new high efficiency design radiator but it couldn't handle the higher pressures. They bought 15 more in '89, and 5 additional in '90.
For the next several years they didn't invest in new equipment as the company was in financial trouble but they started sending out some of the Ford 9000s to be refurbished. They looked real sharp when they came back. In 1995 however, they bought a number of Aeromax 9000 Fords equipped with 300 Cummins, 10 speeds, Jake brake, A/C and AM/FM stereo!! And by this time I had gained enough seniority to be assigned one!! The thrill was short lived though, because in February of 1997, Grand Union Distribution closed their doors and 1500 of us were laid off. The company ceased to exist after about 5 more years. It was an experience though driving in the metropolitan NY tri-state area with a 45' trailer!
I'll add more pics as I come across them.
